Child with Binocular

Photo by Alfredo De Simone

By Ziara Safaris

When packing for an African safari holiday, it is essential that you take only the items you need - to avoid over packing and facing fees at the airport, and it is also important that you bring all of the gear which you will require to get the most out of your safari - this could really put a downer on things if you left an essential item at home. To point you in the right direction about what to bring, here is a list of essentials.

HealthcareSome good quality insect repellent will come into its own again the battle against mosquitoes, and you may also want to check with your doctor if you will be required to take anti-malarial medication - which can be a necessity depending on which country you are visiting.

For Africa, SPF 40+ sun cream and sun block (for more sensitive areas - lips, ears, nose) are required from protection from the sun, which is very strong at its peak and can leave a nasty burn, and even sun stroke is a possibility.

ClothingFollowing on from the sun protection theme, it is vital that you bring a pair of UV protected sunglasses, as well as a wide brimmed hat to ensure that your eyes, head, face and neck are all well protected from the strong African sun.

Your day to day clothing whilst on safari should avoid brighter colours (especially blues) which may attract tsetse flies and should be khaki beige coloured if possible. Bringing a fleece with you is also essential, as many safari destinations often get cold of the evening, and during the early morning hours. A pair of sturdy walking boots will ensure your feet are well protected and comfortable whilst out in the bush, you may want to bring a spare pair of trainers to slip into of the evening.

Extra AccessoriesOn my recent Tanzania safari I totally forgot to pack one thing… binoculars! There were a few moments when these were really needed, such as when spotting a leopard sleeping in a distant Acacia tree in Tarangire, and seeing a hyena take down a flamingo from the flock at the Ngorongoro Crater. Luckily enough for me, our driver was well prepared with a spare pair of binoculars which I borrowed for the duration of the holiday. Don't leave home without them!

A camera is always a great addition to a safari, it means that you can preserve images to show friends and family just what you saw, where you stayed and what your surroundings like. Remember to bring spare memory cards/film and your power charger/spare batteries, as you can end up taking thousands of pictures on safari!